The Effects of Acid Rain

The effect of acid rain may affect the receiving system in several ways. Adding nitrate to a nitrogen deficient ecosystem can increase biological productivity. However, if the pH of the soil is less than about 5, the toxic effects associated with the release of aluminum and magnesium in the clay mineral can offset these benefits. Leaching of metals from soil and sediment may also adversely affect the water system.

Impact on soil: Acid rain greatly affects soil chemistry and biology. This means that soil chemical composition such as soil microbial and biological activity, soil pH etc can be destroyed or reversed by acid rain. Soil must maintain optimum pH level to maintain continuity of bioactivity. When acid rain infiltrates the soil, the pH of the soil rises, which means that the biological and chemical activities of the soil are destroyed or reversed. So sensitive soil microorganisms that can not adapt to changes in pH are killed. High soil acidity also denies soil microbial enzymes. Hydrogen ions of the same width and acid rain will see important minerals and nutrients such as calcium and magnesium.

Acid rain has a serious effect on soil chemistry and biology. It is often destroyed or changed due to the influence of soil chemical constituents such as acid rain, soil microorganism, biological activity, soil pH and so on. The soil should maintain optimum pH to allow biological activity to prosper. Therefore, every time acid rain penetrates the soil, the optimum pH changes, thereby reversing chemical and biological activity. Therefore, sensitive soil microorganisms that can not adapt to pH change are killed and soil microbial enzymes are denatured. Higher acidity also elutes important minerals and nutrients such as calcium and magnesium. As a result, the soil loses its quality and composition, making it impossible to support plant life and soil microorganisms.

One of the direct effects of acid rain is lakes and aquatic ecosystems. Natural lakes and streams have pH values ​​between 6 and 6. In some areas, acid rain may cause a low pH value of 3. Acidic chemicals can enter the lake in several ways. The rain that had fallen on land eventually entered the lake and carried the toxic metals released from the soil to the lake. Another harmful way the acid can enter the lake is the spring acid shock. When the snow melts in the spring due to rapid temperature change, acids and chemical substances in the snow are released to the soil. Melted snow then flows to streams, rivers, and finally to the lake. Introducing these acids and chemicals into the lake may cause the pH of the lake to change dramatically and dramatically. Because there is no time to adapt to sudden changes in aquatic ecosystems, it can lead to extinction of the whole species.